The following article appeared in the Ellenbrook Advocate on Wed 19th August 2015;

Three years ago, a group of Aveley boys had a vision to establish a skate park in Aveley. One petition later, their skate park dream has become reality. BOREDOM is what originally inspired four young Aveley boys to walk the neighbourhood and petition for a local skate park.

Three years on from the conception of their idea to fight boredom, the Aveley skate park has become a reality and an instant hit.

The boys identified the need for the park on a hot summer day and walked the neighbourhood to get support for it.

City of Swan councillor Natasha Cheung facilitated getting their idea and petition to council.

From there, the City got the ball rolling and the boys were called back to help with the design of the skate park, which is also frequently used by scooters. The skate park opened three weeks ago and is already so popular there are jokes about starting another petition to extend it.

Minimum increase in rates but still major works to continue in Ellenbrook. Although the City of Swan is keeping rate increase low this year to minimize any financial impact in these challenging economic times,they are borrowing to continue with major works such as the Ellenbrook Community Building, the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook Open Space and upgrades to Gnangara Rd.

The following is an article from Ellenbrook Advocate Wednesday July 8th 2015;

THE City of Swan’s budget for 2015-16 was released last week and includes funding for major projects in Ellenbrook, Midland and the Swan Valley.

RATES in the City of Swan will climb 3.25 per cent this financial year, following a trend of low rate rises across most metropolitan local governments this year

Swan’s last budget saw a 5 per cent rate increase and a publicly unpopular special levy applied to northern properties for a bridge over the Ellen Brook, which was later repealed.

In this year’s budget, the City has aimed to minimise financial impact on ratepayers, citing the current challenging economic climate in WA.

Swan’s 3.25 per cent rate rise absorbs an 8 per cent spike in the cost of utilities.

A State Government imposed landfill levy increase of 100 per cent will also be passed on to local ratepayers through the City’s sanitation charges.

Chief executive Mike Foley said he had to balance increasing demand for amenities and services with the aim of minimising financial burden to ratepayers.

“Everyone’s feeling the pinch a bit – unemployment is up in the area a bit we’ve noticed,” he said.

“Inflation is down around 22.5 per cent so we want to make sure we’re keeping our services relative but at the same time meeting the needs of the future.”

This financial year will also see the City increase its borrowing by raising new loans to almost $15 million, costing nearly $1m a year in debt servicing.

The debt will pay for big-ticket items like Paradise Quays aged care in Ballajura, land for Dayton’s neighbourhood park, a district park for Dayton, the Ellenbrook community building and the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook District Open Space.

Expenditure this year will reach $145.9 million, of which $71.2 million will be spent on staff and $42 million will be spent on capital works.

Taking into account all budgeting factors, the City’s overall surplus is at $439,000.

“The challenge has always been to provide the infrastructure that people want and particularly to fund the new requirements of new residents coming into the area,” Mr Foley said.

“We’ve taken out a loan program of some $14.5 million to help fund those big projects.”

Mr Foley said work on upgrading Gnangara Road would continue this year, and upgrades to Lloyd Street and Bishop Road in Midland would start.

The City will also see assets from developers of new estates roll over to its portfolio.

“We’re picking up some $42 million of assets from developers this financial year and that’s in the form of roads, drainage and new parks,” Mr Foley said.

“These are assets they have to give to us on top of developer contribution plans.”

Minimum increase in rates but still major works to continue in Ellenbrook. Although the City of Swan is keeping rate increase low this year to minimize any financial impact in these challenging economic times,they are borrowing to continue with major works such as the Ellenbrook Community Building, the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook Open Space and upgrades to Gnangara Rd.

The following is an article from Ellenbrook Advocate Wednesday July 8th 2015;

THE City of Swan’s budget for 2015-16 was released last week and includes funding for major projects in Ellenbrook, Midland and the Swan Valley.

RATES in the City of Swan will climb 3.25 per cent this financial year, following a trend of low rate rises across most metropolitan local governments this year

Swan’s last budget saw a 5 per cent rate increase and a publicly unpopular special levy applied to northern properties for a bridge over the Ellen Brook, which was later repealed.

In this year’s budget, the City has aimed to minimise financial impact on ratepayers, citing the current challenging economic climate in WA.

Swan’s 3.25 per cent rate rise absorbs an 8 per cent spike in the cost of utilities.

A State Government imposed landfill levy increase of 100 per cent will also be passed on to local ratepayers through the City’s sanitation charges.

Chief executive Mike Foley said he had to balance increasing demand for amenities and services with the aim of minimising financial burden to ratepayers.

“Everyone’s feeling the pinch a bit – unemployment is up in the area a bit we’ve noticed,” he said.

“Inflation is down around 22.5 per cent so we want to make sure we’re keeping our services relative but at the same time meeting the needs of the future.”

This financial year will also see the City increase its borrowing by raising new loans to almost $15 million, costing nearly $1m a year in debt servicing.

The debt will pay for big-ticket items like Paradise Quays aged care in Ballajura, land for Dayton’s neighbourhood park, a district park for Dayton, the Ellenbrook community building and the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook District Open Space.

Expenditure this year will reach $145.9 million, of which $71.2 million will be spent on staff and $42 million will be spent on capital works.

Taking into account all budgeting factors, the City’s overall surplus is at $439,000.

“The challenge has always been to provide the infrastructure that people want and particularly to fund the new requirements of new residents coming into the area,” Mr Foley said.

“We’ve taken out a loan program of some $14.5 million to help fund those big projects.”

Mr Foley said work on upgrading Gnangara Road would continue this year, and upgrades to Lloyd Street and Bishop Road in Midland would start.

The City will also see assets from developers of new estates roll over to its portfolio.

“We’re picking up some $42 million of assets from developers this financial year and that’s in the form of roads, drainage and new parks,” Mr Foley said.

“These are assets they have to give to us on top of developer contribution plans.”

Do you want new skills? Interested in learning something to kick start your career? Maybe change your job? Swan Libraries and Sorcit are currently running employment workshops with topics including Resume Writing, Building Confidence for Women and Computer Skills. These workshops are two hours long and FREE to attend. Registration is required.

Please see the attached flyers for further information about dates, locations and how to register, or visit www.swan.wa.gov.au/library

Year 12 student Alexander Rafferty has been awarded a general exhibition and a certificate of distinction for mathematics in the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s 2014 exhibition and award winners.

Alexander has also been offered a scholarship by the University of Western Australia where he will study engineering.

He achieved scaled marks of 79.6 in English, 92.6 in chemistry, 94.9 in physics, 96.2 in maths and 100 in mathematics 3CD.He had already received a scaled mark of 81.2 for a French exam, which he had sat previously.His ATAR was 99.9.

Congratulations Alexander and all the best for your very bright future ahead!

In the Market Watch section of The Sunday Times real estate lift out Terry Ryder, founder of hotspotting.com.au stated that although momentum in WA has cooled, affordable suburbs were the best investment option and that these suburbs are resisting the pattern of market activity tapering off.

Mr Ryder includes the Swan local government area in his list of the strongest markets in Perth. He explains that The City Of Swan is hot due to Urban renewal, government policy and job nodes.

With regards to affordability Ellenbrook still has a median price range of $439,00 which puts in among the most affordable suburbs in Perth.

Just in time before Christmas – get rid of all your junk to make way for the new stuff! The City of Swan is providing a recycling service so that all the unwanted things can be recycled and put to a future good use. And we get to de-clutter!

See below for details of what you are allowed to take to drop off and where to take your items.

Just a reminder that Christmas Carols are on this Sunday 7th December in Aveley. The poster below gives further information as to what will happen and what is available on the evening. Looking forward to seeing the big guy in the red suit!

The Ellenbrook Theatre Company presents Puss In Boots to be preformed at the Ellenbrook Performing Arts Centre, 100 Main St, Ellenbrook. The shows go from December 20th to December 23rd. See poster below for more details.

A relocation program is being considered by developers and the government for the abundant kangaroos in the area. Department of Parks and Wildlife said between 150 and 200 kangaroos could be relocated to Gorrie State Forrest block, just south of Chidlow and The Lakes. Culling is not being considered at this stage. Instead the kangaroos will be tranquilized and transported about 50km away.

The wildlife population faces competing with the 4700 eventual homes and two town centres that will be built by Stockland as part of Vale. Stockland say they will retain more than 26 per cent of the site for bushland and wetland conservation and reserves that will be accessible as public open space.

New laws have been introduced that allow councils through council resolution rather than local law to determine where dogs can exercise and where they need to be kept on a leash at all times.As such the City of Swan has flagged the following parks as proposed parks where dogs must be kept on a leash at all times;

Ellenbrook Resident, Kara Ringland welcomes the stricter rules. She volunteers for Ellenbrook Pet Finders and hears about five or six instances every week where pets or owners are attacked or intimidated by dogs. She hopes the stricter rules will help fine people who don’t care about the safety of others by letting their dogs roam free.

A local Aveley family really get into the spirit of things at Halloween (pardon the pun!)

And they bravely invite every-one to join them. An exert from their facebook page reads; “Join the Marshalls with their family and friends for a fun Spooktacular evening consisting of Spooky Haunted House, Boiling Cauldron Ball Pit, Pass the Pumpkin, Sausage Sizzle and drinks served right out of a Graveyard! Oct 31st Yearly. Games and Haunted House are for 10yrs and under. Trick or Treat!

We are located at Dryden Crescent, Aveley. Trick or treating starts at 5:30pm as does the games and BBQ until dark on the 31st of October. The haunted house will run from 5:30pm to 9pm.

This year one of our rooms is designed for our under 4’s which can be accessed on the side that doesn’t have any of the scary’s! The child age group for the haunted house is aimed at children from 5yrs to 12yrs Parents can go in with their children if they want to. No child will be permitted in the haunted house unless a parent or guardian is here on the night. Feel free to ask any questions.”

What a fantastic community event. I will be taking my two monsters to enjoy the fun. My understanding is that a $10 entry fee is charged and these proceeds go to charity. The Marshalls really do go all out with the decorations. See photos from their website for proof…

An Ellenbrook woman received a death threat in her letter box from a neighbour claiming they would ‘take matters into their own hands’ if her dogs did not stop their continuous barking. The neighbour was caught on camera delivering the note which threatened to kill the dogs if they didn’t stop barking.

The contents of the note was reported to Ellenbrook police. The woman caught on camera was then cautioned by police. The note writer claims the dog owner had taken no notice of written warnings from the City of Swan. The dog owner has stated she did not receive the warnings and that her dogs are good dogs.

City procedures for neighbours to deal with dog complaints can be lengthy. An information pack is provided to the complainant, who can then tick boxes to describe the time and length of the nuisance, after which a letter is sent to the dog owner. If the problem persists, complainants can maintain a logbook, which the City can use to act. The RSPCA encouraged owners to seek training courses if their dog’s barking had become an issue.